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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Day 1 of TE Sneak Peeks for February!

It's that time again...sneak peeks of the newest stamp sets and goodies available later this week (Friday, Feb. 4th at 8:00AM PST) at Taylored Expressions, which is always an exciting time for me especially when I've illustrated a set and coordinating dies. Today Taylor's talented team is showcasing a very special Giving Tree set, Cozy Cottages,which will benefit Habitat for Humanity when purchased during the months of February, March and April.

When I was illustrating this set, Taylor asked for a mushroom house. We had just returned from my son Henri's wish trip to Give Kids the World and Disney so I was thrilled. What a very special place founded by an truly inspiring man, Henri Landwirth. So I included a whimsical beanstalk/vine tree in the set inspired by the merry-go-round at Give Kids the World village that my Henri enjoyed so much.

...And my first card is inspired by this memory.

I stamped the mushroom house and sentiment in Momento tuxedo black ink; coloured the house with copics and prismacolors, then whitened the spots with gel pen; die cut the whimsical tree for my beanstalk and distressed it with ink; cut the clouds in white wool felt using the new TE Cloud Duo die; and cut the bottom border with the TE medium scalloped border die. Did anyone notice that I also finally made a standard size card?

My second card makes me both happy and sad. The card makes me happy. But it's gone with my neighbours who just moved back home from Canada to Connecticut and I could cry just typing this. So back to the card...I've used the birdhouse and separate bird image from Cozy Cottages coloured with copics and prismacolors for this card and created a bit of a scene with a felt hill and TE picket fence using the new picket fence die available on Friday.

Again, the clouds are die cut with the new TE Cloud Duo die and given a silver lining with a little Glamour Dust. I forced myself not to make another square card!!!

Nancy, I ADORE this stamp set that you illustrated!! It is sooo perfect and whimsey in every way!! I love the memory that inspired the mushroom house and love how you did the little vine-y tree - so sweet!!!

And your second card is so soft and beautiful! I know how hard it is when a dear friend moves away (I used the same sentiment to create a card for one of my BFF"s who moved far away from me - so sad :( but I am looking forward to a road trip to see her. I know that your friend will treasure this beautiful card - love the embossed background and the grass - and all the details!!

And WOW girl, I can't believe that you made a standard size card (two of them too!!) wow! Well, whether they are square or circular or A2 - they are always stunning!!!

Beautiful job illustrating this gorgeous set Nancy! I have so loved playing with these gorgeous images!! Hope you and the family are well!!Big hugs,Sankari :)

About Me

Nancy McKinney

Oakville, Ontario

I've been playing with paper, ink and design all my life. I was an English teacher before my 8-year-old came along, but I've returned to graphic design and now design stamps from home while being a full-time mom to Henri, teenaged twins and our crazy rescue Phoenix. Life is good!